16

Three months later

Avery got out of the car and Marcus smiled as she walked over to him. He hugged her and all she felt like was crying. She’d moved out of Caleb’s apartment three months ago and she was missing having him around he hadn't even contacted her. She couldn’t really blame him, she thought their friendship meant more than that to him but obviously not. ‘Where’s Caleb?’

‘We’re not talking.’

‘Must be bad.’

‘It is.’ She admitted.

‘Come on let’s go in and you can tell me all about your adventures.’

She smiled and nodded.

He dropped his arm over her shoulders and they walked inside.

He closed the door and they headed into the kitchen and he dropped his arm off her shoulders. Going over to the counter. ‘Coffee or something stronger?’

‘Coffee I’m driving.’

He nodded. And done two coffees. He placed them on the bar sitting opposite her. ‘So how are you Avery? We haven’t spoken much this past year.’

‘Fine, busy I’ve been back four months now it’s been hectic but loving it.’

‘So I heard you were in London, how did the exhibit go?’

‘Good Noah came.’

He choked. ‘Really.’

‘Yeah, we talked.’

‘So are you guys back together?’

‘No I haven’t seen him since Caleb knocked him out.’

‘Really.’

‘Yeah.’

‘Wow.’ He paused. ‘So why did you come home so early?’

Should she tell him the truth. She went with the lie instead. ‘I was missing home there was nothing for me in London. I had friends there yes but it wasn’t the same.’

He nodded ‘So why aren’t you two talking? Did you have a lover’s Rowe?’

‘No we’re not together Marcus. We never were.’

‘Now I understand he wanted it and you didn’t.’

‘It’s a little more complicated than that.’ She paused, changing the subject. ‘So how have you been Marcus?’

‘Good great in fact I’ve had loads of work come my way. I'm one of the top lawyers everyone wants to hire.’

‘That’s great I knew you could make a name for yourself.’

He smield.

‘So have you what I heard.’

‘What did you hear?’

‘That you are an up and coming archaeologist and you are about to embark on your own adventure you’ve proved yourself over and over again once your finished with this exhibit and you're off to Egypt for two years.’

‘Wow good new does travel fast.’

‘It does I might just come and see your exhibit I’ve been told it’s not one to be missed.’

She smiled.

‘Oh hey Avery.’

She looked up, god he’d changed he’d got older and more sophisticated. ‘Oh hi Jenson.’

‘I hear congratulations is in order, I hear your exhibit went down with a blast and the next one is heading the same way.’

‘It is thanks.’

‘Me and Marcus were on about going to see it.’

‘You should your more than welcome.’

‘We just might. Hey why don’t you stay for dinner.’

‘I don’t know.’ She answered unsure.’

‘Come on we haven’t seen you for three years I want all the gossip.’

‘Sure.’

He smiled. ‘Well that’s settled then maybe you can stay over.’

‘I have to get back.’

‘Is Caleb waiting for you?’

‘No he didn’t come back, he’s still in London.’

‘How come?’

‘We sort of had an argument. I haven’t seen him for four months.’

‘Oh I didn’t know.’

‘No one does.’

‘Best keep it that way. If Noah finds out he’ll be here with a click of his fingers.’

They all a sat down for dinner and shared their work and lives til now laughing and joking. They’d had a few drinks and Marcus showed her to her room.’ I’m glad your here Avery.’

‘Me to.’

He leaned forward kissing her softly. ‘I’m sorry Marcus I can’t give you what you want.’

‘You’re in love with Caleb aren’t you?’

She looked down. He placed his hand in her chin lifting it. ‘Why don’t you tell him?’

‘I can’t.’

‘Why not?’

‘I didn’t want to ruin our friendship but I already have.’

He pulled her close as she cried into his shoulder. ‘It’s okay Avery I’m here if only as your friend. I won’t say I’m disappointed cause I am. I hoped we could work it all out, but I guess two years of being with Caleb has stirred up some feelings towards him.

‘I love him Marcus and I’m to scared to tell him. I didn’t want to loose him, he was my best friend. He was there for me when no one else was scared of losing all that if it doesn’t work out I’m scared of losing him as a friend.’

‘You should tell him.’

‘I tired he threw me out.’

‘He’ll come around.’

‘No he won’t he hates me.’

‘I’m sure he doesn’t.’

‘Stay with me.’

‘I can’t Avery.’

‘Just to talk nothing else.’

‘Okay but when you fall asleep I’ll go back to my own room deal?’

‘Deal.’